Chapter 5

The next morning, Chloe arrives at Sterling Enterprises at eight-thirty with her signed contract in hand. Simone, Lucas's executive assistant, greets her with a smile that's too knowing.

"Mr. Sterling said you'd be early,he's in a meeting but asked you to wait in the conference room" She leads Chloe down a hallway lined with modern art,"Your team will arrive soon for the official kickoff"she said before leaving 

Chloe sets down her bag and walks to the windows. Six months ago, she was sitting in her downtown apartment discovering her husband's affair. Now she's standing in a billionaire's office about to lead a twenty-five-million-dollar campaign.

The door opens behind her. She turns, expecting Lucas.

It was Isabella Romano,Lucas's girlfriend.

“Hi Chloe, nice to meet you again “she greets plastering a smile that doesn't reach her eyes 

"Lucas mentioned you'd be working together. He's very impressed with you" Isabella sets down her camera bag and begins unpacking equipment, "I'm documenting the campaign development, photography, video content, social media assets. I'll be around quite a bit."

"That's great" 

"Is it?" Isabella looks up, and her expression is unreadable. "Lucas has a tendency to become... invested in his projects,Sometimes too invested"she rants on 

Before Chloe can respond, the door opens again. Lucas walks in with Sarah, Daniel, and David following behind him.

"Good, everyone's here" Lucas's eyes find Chloe immediately, holding her gaze for a second longer than necessary, "Let's get started"he said c

They spend the next three hours deep in strategy. Chloe leads the discussion, outlining target demographics, brand positioning, creative concepts. Her team contributes ideas. Lucas challenges every assumption, pushes for clarity, demands excellence.

Isabella circles the room with her camera, capturing moments. Chloe feels the lens on her constantly, documenting every gesture, every word.

By noon, they have a solid framework. Lucas leans back in his chair, satisfied.

"This is exactly what I wanted, Chloe,I need creative mockups by Friday,three concepts, fully developed."

"We can do that"

"Good." He stands. "Everyone take lunch. Be back at two. We'll tackle media strategy then"

The team files out, Isabella lingers, adjusting her camera settings,Lucas touches her arm gently.

"Can you give us a minute?"

Isabella's smile doesn't waver, but something flickers in her eyes,"Of course" She leaves,closing the door behind her.

Lucas turns to Chloe, "you signed the contract"

"You knew I would"she said 

"I hoped you would" He moves closer, "how are you feeling about the timeline?"

"Twelve weeks is tight, but manageable if nothing goes wrong."

"What could go wrong?"he asked all concerned 

Everything, Chloe almost screamed but she says, "Creative delays,client revisions,media availability,the usual complications"

"I don't accept complications. I accept solutions." He's standing close enough that she can smell his cologne….subtle, expensive. "That's why I hired you. You solve problems"

"I also create boundaries" she takes a deliberate step back "You have a girlfriend,Mr. Sterling,maybe you should maintain appropriate professional distance"she said avoiding his gaze 

His expression shifts…surprise, then amusement, "You're direct. I like that"he chuckled softly 

"I'm practical, There's a difference"

"Is there?" He tilts his head, studying her, "you're uncomfortable"

"I'm professional" she defended 

"You're scared." His voice softens. "Someone hurt you badly. Your ex-husband, I'm guessing. And now you're rebuilding. But you're doing it alone because trust feels dangerous"

Chloe's jaw tightens,"you don't know anything about me."

"I know you exposed pharmaceutical fraud three years ago and destroyed a company,i know you went through a divorce four months ago,I know you're brilliant at your job but terrible at accepting compliments." He pauses,"and I know you're attracted to me, which terrifies you because I'm exactly the kind of complication you're trying to avoid."

Heat floods her face. "That's presumptuous"

"That's observant." He moves toward the door, "lunch is downstairs. Company cafeteria, join us"

He leaves before she can respond.

Chloe stands alone in the conference room, her heart pounding, he's right…she is attracted to him, and he's absolutely the kind of complication she should avoid.

Her phone buzzes. Bringing her back from her thoughts it was a text from her father, “Call me when you have a minute,found something important”

She steps into the hallway and dials his number. He answers immediately.

"What did you find?"she asked curiosily 

"Victoria Chandler" Peter's voice is grim,"Julia's investigator traced VC Consulting Group back to her, She's been funneling money through shell companies, including payments to Chris."

Chloe's blood goes cold. "What kind of payments?"

"Legal retainer. Fifty thousand dollars two years ago,plus ongoing payments,hotels,dinners,flowers" He pauses. "She funded the affair, Chloe,She orchestrated the whole thing"

The hallway tilts. Chloe leans against the wall. "Why?"

"Revenge…. she's trying to destroy you like you did to her company, And there's more. She's been making inquiries about Sterling Enterprises,about Lucas Sterling specifically"

"How do you know?"

"Julia's investigator flagged it”

Chloe closes her eyes

"What do I do?" she asks.

"Tell Lucas Sterling,he needs to know,and be careful, Victoria Chandler is patient, smart, and vindictive"

After hanging up, Chloe stands in the hallway trying to process, her phone buzzes again, text from an unknown number…”working for Lucas Sterling…how impressive,hope it works out better than your marriage”(V)

Her hands shake as she reads it,Victoria is watching her,tracking her movements.

She forwards the text to her father, then walks back to the conference room,Lucas is there, reviewing documents.

"We need to talk," she says, "privately."

He looks up, immediately reading her expression. "What happened?"

He moves closer 

Chloe takes a breath, “I got a text from my father, victoria chandelier is orchestrating a revenge campaign against me" Chloe shows him the text, "she funded my ex-husband's affair.she manipulated everything,and now she's asking questions about you"

He reads the text, his jaw tightening,"when did you get this?"

"Five minutes ago"

He pulls out his phone and makes a call,a man in his fifties came in immediately,he introduced him as the head security team  

 I want surveillance on Ms. Bennett's apartment and office"Lucas said 

"Wait" Chloe interrupts. "Surveillance?"

"Protection," Lucas corrects. "If she's watching you, I need to know"

"I didn't agree to this"

"You don't have to. I'm implementing it anyway." His tone leaves no room for argument,"you're part of my team now,That means you're under my protection."

"This is insane" Chloe says.

"This is necessary" Lucas counters. "Victoria Chandler is dangerous,I'm not taking chances"

After the man leaves, Chloe turns to Lucas, "you can't just take over my life"

"I'm not taking over, I'm protecting what's mine" he catches himself,"My investment,my campaign,my team."

"I'm not yours"

"Not yet" The words hang between them,then he shakes his head,"that came out wrong,I meant…."

"I know what you meant" Chloe picks up her bag "I need air"

She walks out before he can respond.

When the elevator doors open in the lobby, Isabella is standing there, waiting.

"We need to talk," Isabella says. "About Lucas”